Youngsters from Sri Lanka have sent a message of thanks to Telegraph & Argus readers for providing them with much needed stationery equipment

Ernest Cowley, of Bierley, who launched the appeal in the T&A last summer, said the children were delighted with the pens, pads and pencils he brought to their country.

But the charity worker who has just returned from his mission said that more goods, including sandals and flasks, are still urgently required.

The 60-year-old estate housing manager said: "Both the children and teachers were thoroughly grateful for the goods.

"But they live in very poor conditions and many children who walk three to four miles barefoot to school desperately need something to wear on their feet."

Mr Cowley handed out more than 3000 pens and pencils, 100 exercise books and several geometry instruments to a number of schools in his two-week trip.

He spent most of his time visiting 'poor' schools in the north - known as the district of Kandy.

"Teachers are only paid £20 a month and they try to help the children as much as they can," he said.

"There is no running water in the schools so water has to be brought from home so they need flasks."

The campaign was set up in memory of his Sri Lankan friend Soma Weera-singe who was killed in a road accident in 1994.

The Soma Weerasinge Memorial Fund donates gifts to those in need aged between five and 15 years.

Mrs Weerasinge helped him set up an earlier plea for reading glasses, which resulted in netting hundreds of spectacles for children and adults in the country.

His ultimate goal is to build an orphanage for children forced to live on the streets. "A property has been found, but we need to secure a lot more funding to make it a reality," he said.

Mr Cowley aims to fly back to Sri Lanka in April. Anyone who can donate stationery or flip-flop type shoes can call Mr Cowley on (01274) 402881.

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